Page 52 of Cakewalk

“This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”

“It’s just getting started, sweetheart. Santa still needs to come visit.”

“I already got what I wanted. Besides, what I asked him for doesn’t really fit under the tree,” she said coyly. “I know because I watched said gift cut down said tree.”

Holden opened his mouth to respond but couldn’t find the right words. He didn’t want to sound trite or rehearsed—he simply wanted her to know that she was easily the best gift he’d ever received and that he didn’t take it for granted. They’d both had a hard road getting to this point, but maybe their finding each other made it all worth it.

“Well, Santa came a little early and wanted me to give you this,” he said, finally finding his words. He reached into the couch, just as he had the other night, and pulled out an almost identical box.

Gigi sat up and spun around, still in his lap, wrapping her legs around his torso. She took the box from him, her eyes wide with confusion. His pulse started to race as he watched her undo the ribbon. He’d been nervous when he’d given her the cupcake after decorating the tree, but this one made him almost feel panicky. If all went as it should, this was going to take things to a new level, one he hoped she wanted just as much as he did.

Opening the lid, she carefully peeled back red tissue paper to display two small, molded figures sitting cross-legged, staring into a roaring fireplace, each one wearing a red shirt with pajama bottoms that were white with blue snowflakes. The blonde female figure had “Gigi” written on her back, while the dark-haired male figure next to her read “Holden.” Along the mantel of the fireplace, in simple black letters, were the words “Our First Christmas.”

A sob escaped from Gigi, and Holden’s heart lurched. Had he done something wrong? Was this the wrong gift? It’s too soon, you’ve only known each other a couple of months, been together less than that. Nice job, dumbass…

Covering her sobs with her hand, she looked up at him, tears spilling from her eyes. Holden expected to see sadness, or even fear, but the only thing he saw was the same emotion he was feeling.

Love.

“I hope it’s not too presumptuous of me,” he started. “But I thought the occasion needed to be properly marked and celebrated. I know that Christmas hasn’t always been a happy time for you, but that changes now, Gigi.”

“Can I put it on the tree?” she asked, swiping at her tears.

“Of course, that’s why I gave it to you. And I promise, it will still be there tomorrow.”

She leapt off the couch in a single movement, nearly knocking him over in the process, and pranced over to the tree, searching for the exact perfect place for it. When she finally found a spot, she pushed up to her tiptoes, trying to reach.

“Don’t hurt yourself, sweetheart,” Holden laughed, getting off the couch. “Let me help.”

Before she could argue, he grabbed her luscious hips and picked her up, giving her access to where she had been trying to reach. When she got their ornament secured to the branch, he slowly lowered her back to the ground, spinning her in his arms. She looked so beautiful in the glow of the twinkle lights, he couldn’t help but cup her face and capture her mouth in his. They stood there, wrapped in each other, kissing—soft, slow, and without agenda—for what felt like hours. Holden could feel all the blood rush to his groin every time Gigi would whimper. For as much as he wanted to take her right here, he wanted to simply love on her even more.

Finally breaking apart, their lips swollen from their efforts and Gigi’s cheeks slightly pink from his beard, Holden felt like he was the king of the world. Right here, right now, he was sure that things did not get better than this.

“I know I said that I already got what I wanted. But I do have one more Christmas wish,” Gigi said, an impish smile tugging on her pretty pink lips.

“Anything, sweetheart.”

“Take me upstairs and unwrap me?”

* * *

Gigi

Gigi wasn’t really concerned that her “wish” would go ungranted. She knew full well that Holden would not only take her up on said wish, but that he would make sure that she was left singing afterwards. What she had not expected was to be picked up and tossed over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, much like when he rescued her from the fire she’d started.

“Holden, put me down!” she whisper shouted, lightly hitting his back with her fists. The giggles that escaped betrayed her mock seriousness and earned her a swat on the butt from him.

“Shhhh, don’t want to wake my parents,” he said as he slipped into his room and closed the door.

“I've never done it with parents in the house,” she said, hoping the admission didn’t make her sound stupid. “I guess that lands me on the nice list…”

“I can promise you, sweetheart, you are most certainly on my naughty list.”

Gigi licked her lips in anticipation as Holden stalked closer to her, a look in his eyes like he wanted to eat her alive. She felt a chill run down her spine, causing her to shiver with excitement. She wanted him more than she could say—tonight in this bedroom, and for years to come. How could she have ever thought that what she had before was love? That hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of what she and Holden had. What was between them was the most powerful thing she’d ever experienced, and she wanted to spend the rest of her life exploring these feelings with him.

In a flash, they were in each other’s arms, mouths melded together, hands everywhere as they worked on ridding themselves of their clothes. As the last article of clothing hit the floor, Holden grabbed ahold of her ass, picking her up and taking her over to the bed. He laid her down gently, looming over her like a villain, but she wasn’t afraid. Not of him, not of how she felt, not of anything. She reached up and ran her hand along his jaw, feeling the softness of his beard in between her fingers. The softness of it still amazed her, as did just how much she enjoyed the feel of it against her skin. Lowering himself, he kissed her again, this time slow and sweet, like he was memorizing her mouth. His kisses only served to fuel her desire even more, feeling her whole body come alive.

Holden started to kiss his way down her body, lavishing all the sensitive spots he’d come to know that turned her on. Gigi felt her nipples contract as he reached the swell of her breasts, his open-mouth kisses leaving a trail of heat as he went. The need pulsing through her caused her to arch her back, trying to find his mouth with her breast, but he swerved just in time to continue to tease his way across her chest. He looked up at her, a sly smile on his face. Even in the dark she could see his piercing blue eyes drinking her in, and she could feel herself growing wetter by the second just from the stare.